2019

We have had no Trade Bill, no Fisheries Bill, no Agriculture Bill, no immigration and social security Bill and no financial services Bill—all lost. The Government simply do not want to do their job and bring their Bills back. It is no wonder that the Opposition parties have to seize the Order Paper.

Tuesday 2 October 2019 marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. His birthday is a major holiday in India called ‘Gandhi Jayanti’, and it is marked with a prayer for peace, ceremonies and events throughout the country. The United Nations has also declared this day as the International Day of Non-violence to honour Gandhi’s message.

I and other Labour MPs showed support for Thomas Cook staff on Tuesday 1 October 2019 alongside members of Unite the Union. A petition was dropped at Downing Street and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.  I am pictured with Labour MP’s Daniel Zeichner MP (left) and Luke Pollard MP (right).

If the Leader of the House wants some business, let me give him some business: the date for Report of the Financial Services (Implementation of Legislation) Bill is to be announced; the date for Report of the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill is to be announced; the date for Report of the Agriculture Bill is to be announced; the date for Report of the Fisheries Bill is to be announced; and the Trade Bill had its Third Reading in the House of Lords on Wednesday 20 March and is in ping-pong.

On Thursday 26 September 2019, the Government was defeated on a motion to adjourn Parliament from 26 September until 3 October 2019 for the Conservative Party Conference. The motion was defeated by a majority of 17, with 289 Ayes to 306 Noes.